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~ 80's baby with a 60's brain.

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Monthly Archives: March 2012

Top 10 Madonna Videos : MYFAVORITES

28 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Madonna, MYFAVORITES

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Madonna, Madonna Music Videos, Madonna Videos, MDNA, MDNA Week, MyFavorites, Top 10 Madonna Music Videos, Top 10 Madonna Videos

“MDNA” Week continues… and how could I possibly have a Madonna week and not celebrate her amazing Videography. From her start, she’s been making videos that are groundbreaking, taboo, dramatic, sexy, thought provoking, controversial and every thing in between. The Queen of Re-Invention often used her music videos to shock with a new look, or just shock with the concepts or social commentary. The only problem was narrowing the list down to a Top 10, as so many awesome videos had to be left out (some of my favorites that suffered from the chopping block : “Music”, “Borderline”, “Justify My Love”, “Die Another Day” and “Bedtime Story”) but I think this Top 10 is a very comprehensive list. Debatable? Sure, but enjoy it anyway and Know that I Heart comments!!

10. “Vogue”
I don’t think I could make any kind of list about Madonna’s career without involving her signature “Vogue”. And Yes this video is a classic one, with the first mainstream introduction to ‘Voguing’, and Madonna giving FACE and BODY and STYLE. It’s one of her most timeless videos.

9. “Don’t Tell Me”
One of those videos that make you appreciate the song even more. It’s relatively simple, but some of the subtle effects used along with the contemporary line-dance make the video totally stand out as one of her most fun and vibrant videos.

8. “Express Yourself”
This video has a ton of Iconic images from the Queen, from the suit wearing crotch grab, the platinum blonde bob drinking the cat milk, and her “girl in chains” image among others. It’s a lot, but never too much, and overall it’s like a piece of art in motion

7. “Ray of Light”
Beware, this hyper-paced video could cause epileptic seizures! However if you can hold out long enough, you’ll get a very unique video that strangely enough perfectly matches the hyper-paced song it’s for.

6. “Open Your Heart”
Another Iconic Madonna video, her old school peep show for underage eyes has Madonna looking great and being almost sexier than any of her previous videos. One could probably read too much into the video, but there’s no need because ultimately it’s just a Fun video for a Fun Pop song.

5. “Papa Don’t Preach”
Madonna’s first “Mini-Movie”, she grabbed an acclaimed actor Danny Aiello to bring to life the story of a teenage girl dealing with impending pregnancy. The song and concept were timely and rather risky for a big Pop artist like Madge, but the video is so perfectly paced and the drama and emotion are totally felt. It’s a bit of an edge of your seat video, will Papa Preach or not!? Watch and find out.

4. “Rain”
Madonna and Director Mark Romanek made the very sterile world of electronics and A/V equipment look classic and just beautiful. “Rain” is one of Madge’s most beautiful songs, so the video matches up perfectly with it. It’s the contrast of making beauty out of the cold behind the scenes world that makes the video so effective and moving.

3. “Take a Bow”
Allegedly, this video helped Madonna get the role of “Evita” and you can see why. Such a dramatic TeleNovella-like video with so much passion and intensity and emotion. She looks amazing, the story is so well put together, and the direction and visuals are perfect for the tone and feel of the song. A true Masterpiece, and at the time a very subdued and classy Madonna that people weren’t used to seeing.

2. “Human Nature”
A fierce, risky, sexy and unique dance video that for so many reasons is easily one of her best. It’s completely captivating, the dancing and staging in the boxes were truly innovative (how many videos tried to copy that afterwards), and in true chameleon form Madonna gives us another unexpected yet Hot look. Top notch and unforgettable video.

1. “Bad Girl”
One of Madonna’s most underrated songs from one of her most underrated albums, and this excellent video is also one of her most underrated outings. With Christopher Walken co-starring as some sort of contemporary grim reaper, she tells the story of a woman hitting a breaking point with her destructive lifestyle. The styling is perfection and the story is tragic, yet you can’t look away and you never get bored watching it.

“MDNA” gives Madonna Fans Few Highlights and Heavy Filler : Album Review

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Album Review, Madonna, MUSIC

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Tags

Madonna, Madonna MDNA, madonna mdna review, MDNA, mdna review, MDNA Week

What would “MDNA” Week be without a review for “MDNA”!? It would suck, so here we go… Being a life-long Madonna fan, I usually get really excited before the release of a new album. With “MDNA“, her 12th released this week, there was a lot more apprehension than excitement. The biggest fears came from the two singles “Give Me All Your Luvin'” and “Girl Gone Wild” which seemed very uninspired coming from a Queen whose known for taking risks and pushing boundaries. “Luvin'” came off entirely too Young and Pop-ish to be taken seriously, while “Girl” felt like standard Dance/Pop Top 40 fare with nothing at all intriguing or new. The fear for “MDNA” was that it would be way too commercial and have Madonna, a LEGEND, dumbing down her sound to fit in with the Katy Perry’s and Ke$ha’s of the world. Luckily, the album isn’t too far into the “Desperate Young-sounding angle”, but it’s also not far enough into the “Mature Adult Artist angle” either. The end result being a very mish-mosh and uneven album even when it has some great shining moments. What the album really needed was a objective editor, the album is a bit over-long and with a bunch of filler. Had certain songs been taken out, the album would have felt better on the whole. Songs like “Some Girls” “Superstar” (Lady GaGa and Katy Perry sounding, respectively) and “Best Friend” are so run of the mill, they have no place on the album which at it’s best moments does try to reach for new ground — or at least involves more thoughtful and creative production, which those songs do not. Eliminating the Basic would have benefited the album and made the strong cuts stand out even more. Speaking on the highlights though, “Gang Bang” is a very interesting and intense production (though the lyrics getting repetitive and annoying after a while). “Love Spent” has word play and very intriguing and ever changing production. I happen to love when Madonna get’s all 60’s on us with “B-Day Song” and another stand out track “I’m A Sinner”, she sounds more alive and confident on these tracks than pretty much anything else on the album. While “I F**cked Up” is a stellar electro-ballad that’s easily the most heartfelt and personal on the album (without being too maudlin like say “Falling Free”). “MDNA” fulfills the Madonna-itch that most of her fans have been feeling since the let-down of “Hard Candy” nearly 4 years ago, but as an album it doesn’t feel as cohesive as that album. As fans we expect a lot from Madonna, and the new album doesn’t do much to show the Artist we know she can be. Fun, Danceable, Catchy… yes! However 12 albums in, Madonna should be giving us a lot more than just that. 3 of 5 Best: I’m A Sinner, I Fvcked Up, Love Spent

Sleigh Bells bring the Calm with “Reign of Terror” : Album Review

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Album Review, MUSIC, Sleigh Bells

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reign of terror review, Sleigh Bells, sleigh bells reign of terror, sleigh bells reign of terror review

“Treats”, Sleigh Bells‘ debut album was really impressive and different. The duo of producer Derek Miller and front woman Alexis Krauss were able to match aggressive tracks with sing-songy melodies and avoid sounding like a complete mess. On their recently released sophomore album “Reign of Terror”, the Bells give fans more of the same, but making the sound a lot more balanced out and surprisingly even more enjoyable.

While “Terror” keeps the elements that made “Treats” so good, the duo also expounds on that established sound. Maintaining that loud Rock-like edge throughout, they work this time at extending their song lengths and filling them with full verses and hooks unlike the somewhat “chanty” nature of most of their “Treats” songs. The beauty those is that they didn’t compromise one thing for another, they found a groove where everything works perfectly together. The amazing thing to me is that tone is still very hard edged, in fact I would venture to say maybe even bigger and louder than the previous album with huge guitar sounds. And while the sounds got bigger, so did the melodies which give a very Pop/R&B feel a la Beyonce or Rihanna while not getting completely drowned out by the big synths.

First single “Comeback Kid” is a great example of how the Bells managed to make things work. It is a true “rock out!” song, but the melodic hook takes it down to a more palatable and commercial offering. The same can be said for tracks like “Born To Lose” “Leader of the Pack” and “Never Say Die” which mix both worlds masterfully and make it something totally fresh and new. Another contrast from the debut album to the new material is that the group shows more of their mellow side with tracks like the stunning “End of the Line” “Road to Hell” and “You Lost Me”. Very laid back sounds with soothing vocals, but still utilizing the noise-pop edge production wise.

“Reign of Terror” is definitely the group sticking to their sound, and it isn’t drastically different from “Treats” tonally, but clear improvements were made to make the follow up a more balanced-out, solid and serious effort and gives us something to look forward to from the duo.

4.5 of 5
Best: End of the Line, Road to Hell, Born to Lose

Discography Review: Madonna (1998-2008)

27 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Discography Review, Madonna, MUSIC

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American Life, American Life Review, Confessions on a Dancefloor, Confessions on a Dancefloor Review, Discography Review, Hard Candy, Hard Candy Review, Madonna, Madonna American Life, Madonna American Life Review, Madonna Confessions on a Dance Floor, Madonna Confessions on a Dance Floor Review, Madonna Discography, Madonna Discography Review, Madonna Hard Candy, Madonna Hard Candy Review, Madonna Music, Madonna Music Review, Madonna Ray of Light, Madonna Ray of Light Review, MDNA Week, Music, Music Review, Ray of Light, Ray of Light Review

It’s “MDNA” Week! As Madonna releases her 12th album tomorrow (actually available on iTunes now), it should be fun to look back at her extensive and very diverse Discography to give some perspective on this new outing. In 1997 Madonna came back from a 3 year break and totally switched her sound up. Most of her albums following that groundbreaking hit followed suit, but in different ways. From 1997, up until her last album before “MDNA”, Madonna hit some triumphant high’s and some low’s but still maintained her Queen of Pop label easily.

So let’s get “MDNA” Week Officially going!

After owning the 80’s, the early 90’s were not such a great time for Madonna. She was suffering a pretty severe media backlash, and although some of her best work was released during this time, mainstream didn’t seem to give two fvcks. That is until she won the coveted title role in the film adaptation of “Evita”, followed shortly by the news she was pregnant with her first child. She scored a Golden Globe win for “Evita” and it looked like she was back in the good graces of the public. Meaning all eyes were on her highly anticipated “Ray of Light” album. And surprisingly, since it was such a stark contrast to her earlier work, the album became a huge commercial and critical success.

Madonna had shown diversity in her work up till this album, going from House to R&B to Pop, but with “Ray of Light” she chose to attack a underground genre (and the UK Underground specifically) mixing her Superstar status to an Electronica sound. The result is a beautiful mix of William Orbit’s lush yet complicated tracks and Madonna’s lyrical and melodic gifts. Orbit might have stolen the show with his very ambient, polished and almost soothing brand of Electronica, but matched with Madonna’s very introspective lyrics it makes the album an amazing stand out in her career.

Lyrically, she’s in full reflection mode, tackling her love/hate relationship with Fame (“Drowned World/Substitute for Love”, “Ray of Light”), how celebrity had affected her outlook on love (“Frozen”), and of course celebrating the life-changing job of being a mother (“Little Star”). Vocally, thanks to the training for “Evita”, she’s the best we’ll ever hear her. Everything Madonna brings to the table is top notch, very thoughtful and perfectly executed. Every now and than the relaxing vibe is interrupted by a louder more aggressive number, but overall it’s a classic album for Madonna. She really stepped out and risked a lot and it paid off in a huge way.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Best: Ray of Light, Drowned World/Substitute for Love, Skin

With “Music“, a short 10 track album, Madonna was able to balance out what was great about her previous Award winner with a throwback to her more fun side. Mirwais, who produced the bulk of the album, seamlessly mixes the very heartfelt and ambient stuff of “Ray of Light”, but also ups the tempo with some amazing Dance stuff as well. From the now classic title track, to single “Don’t Tell Me” and the insane “Impressive Instant”, you get the fun and catchiness Madonna was famous for. And with the beautiful “What It Feels Like For A Girl”, “Nobody’s Perfect” and “Gone”, you get the introspective and heartfelt lyrics we now knew she was capable of.

“Music” is easily one of my Top 3 Madonna albums, it’s just a great listen from start to finish. Amazing, inventive and inspired production from Mirwais and a fun joyful but still personal Madonna. Just a great collaboration and a great album.

Rating: 5 stars
Best: What It Feels Like For A Girl, Music, Impressive Instant

Coming after “Music”, Madonna delivered her most hard edged aggressive and risky album yet in the form of “American Life“. Easily my least favorite Madge outing, but even I have to appreciate her for going there and not compromising. The album was produced mainly by Mirwais again, ditching any elements of Pop and giving listeners a really intense and loud album that is full-on Electronia with no commercial filter. With the key-screeching on “I’m So Stupid”, and the stuttering electro-blips on the title track, it’s almost a Noise-Pop album before that term was even invented. The album does have a softer side in tracks like “Love Profusion” and “X-Static Process”, but overall the album doesn’t work for me, but still has some amazing career stand outs. “Nothing Fails” is a heartfelt ballad that truly gave me goosebumps the first time I heard it (and to this day). “Hollywood” the aforementioned “I’m So Stupid” and James Bond theme “Die Another Day” are other stand outs for me.

If you can take the noise, there’s some very personal lyricism on the album. A little grating for me, but still a decent album that’s worthy of checking out.

Rating: 2.5 stars
Best: Nothing Fails, Die Another Day, I’m So Stupid

After going so incredibly Dark, Madonna’s next album “Confessions on a Dancefloor” lightened up the mood a bit. This time collaborating largely with Stuart Price, she delivered a true Dance album. However it’s not just simple 4 to the Floor beats and simplistic lyrics (we’ll get there pretty soon), Price structures complicated futuristic tracks that may be some of the best production Madonna has sung to. There’s some motivational, inspirational tracks that pepper the album but overall it’s Madonna getting back to being fun. The mega-hit “Hung Up” is a tongue and cheek Disco-homage, “I Love New York” has in-arguably some of Madonna’s worst lyrics but the Electro-Rock track is just so fun and catchy you don’t even care. And though there are some great lyrics here and there, the album is more focused on a feeling and vibe without getting too deep. And in that way it’s a excellent album, it all flows so well together and again Madonna got even more stand out cuts for her lengthy discography. “Get Together” is perfection, one of my favorite Madonna cuts ever. “Forbidden Love”, “Let It Will Be”, pretty much every song here is a winner and one that can stand on it’s own, but as a complete album it’s just ecstasy.

Rating: 4.5 stars
Best: Get Together, Hung Up, Forbidden Love

“Hard Candy” was a perfect title for what Madonna set out to do with her next album. By enlisting Timbaland and Neptunes’ Pharrell Williams, she wanted to add a harder Hip Hop edge to her sweet Pop Dance sounds. One thing about this album, you can’t help but dance your way through it. The guys provide her with some dance-floor ready beats that make you ignore the other short comings of the songs. Those short comings though are really evident throughout the album, and another reason why “Hard Candy” is such an appropriate title because there’s almost zero substance to any of it. There are a few tracks where there’s actually a point (“Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You” and oddly “Give It 2 Me”), but the majority are just party numbers where “get up on the dancefloor” and “see my booty get down” are pretty much the standard. It’s catchy stuff, and given songs like “My Humps” and “Sexyback” were dominating airwaves, seems like Madonna wanted a chance to just be silly and fun.

The lasting impression is it’s a really fun album, but not as innovative and thoughtful as we had come to expect from Madge at the point. And frankly, being a huge Neptunes and Timbaland fan some of their material was a little dated already. Pharrell really came to play and gave her some creative and different tracks (“Incredible”, “Give it 2 Me”) and Timbaland contributed a true gem in “Miles Away”, but it just had a “been there done that” “you can do better” feel.

Rating: 3 stars
Best: Heartbeat, Candy Shop, Incredible

My Top 10 Songs of the Week! “Am I A Man… or…” : MYFAVORITES

26 Monday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Amy Adams, Barrington Levy, Beyoncé, Bob Marley, Jason Segel, Jennifer Hudson, M.I.A., Madonna, Major Lazer, MUSIC, Sleigh Bells, The Muppets, The Partysquad, Usher

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Amy Adams, Barrington Levy, beyonce, Bob Marley, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Deena Jones, Diplo, Dreamgirls, Effie White, Jason Segel, Jennifer Hudson, M.I.A., Madonna, Major Lazer, MIA, Miss Piggy, My Top 10 Songs of the Week, Sleigh Bells, Switch, The Muppets, The Partysquad, Top 10, Top 10 Songs, Top 10 Songs of the Week, Usher, Walter

Happy Monday!
Some of you might be wondering… “What the hell happened to the Top 10 Songs this past Friday?” Well as “MDNA Week” begins today, last week was “Midterm” week with so many papers due and tests to study for. By Friday, I was spent… I did a rough draft of seven songs but when I got home I didn’t even log onto the computer before falling off to sleep. So sorry for the wait, but it’s cool because I can add a few songs I was loving (and rather embarrassed that I couldn’t get out of my head) over the weekend.

10. Madonna “Girl Gone Wild”
still not going crazy over the song, but the video that came out last week is pretty amazing. sexy, visually stunning, good dancing, and Madge looks great. definitely brought a new dimension to the song, which is still a very basic output. (get ready for “MDNA Week!”)

9. Beyonce “Dreamgirls”
How did I get Here? I forget now, but one song led to another which led to another and somehow I landed on the “Dreamgirls” movie soundtrack and this was one of the highlights. The scene is so pretty, and Beyonce’s err Deena’s spin towards the end gives me life every time.

8.(tie) Jason Segel & Walter “Man or Muppet”/ Amy Adams & Miss Piggy “Me Party”
Yes! I Went There. So I’m a kid of the 80’s so The Muppets were like my heroes, so when the recent movie “The Muppets” was released for rent I had to see it. And these two campy, cheesy and hilarious songs stuck in my head for the whole weekend. I still have “I’m a Muppety Man” replaying in my mind.

7. Bob Marley & The Wailers “War”
First line: “Until the philosophy which hold one race superior, and another inferior, Is Finally and Permanently Discredited and Abandoned, Everywhere is War!” … enough said! #TrayvonMartin

6. Jennifer Hudson “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going”
Did Jennifer sing the Hell out of this song!!?? Yes she did!!! After not seeing the movie or hearing the soundtrack for a minute, I came back to this and was as impressed as when I heard it the first time. She did a phenomenal job.

5. Sleigh Bells “End of the Line”
I BOUGHT an album this weekend (well two! thanks Sopa! *laugh), this had been on my wish list for a while and I JUST finished it, but this song was an early stand out. It’s so peaceful, but still has those heavy and intense synths that the Bells are known for now. Could this be a single that makes top 40!? Who cares, but it’s an awesome song.
(you’ll have to settle for a live clip.)

4. M.I.A. “Bird Flu”
This track is so… different! I can’t really even explain what it is that I love about it, but it’s definitely something a little off-kilter but I can still dance my butt off to it.

3. Barrington Levy “Sensimella”
Last week, I was trying to find “new/old” music from some Reggae legends. Along with Barrington I grabbed some Steel Pulse, Aswad and Black Uhuru. This song, among a few from Barrington’s “Poor Man Style” album, stuck with me.

2. Major Lazer feat. The Partysquad “Original Don”
When I first grabbed this track, I was kind of like “wtf!?”… but it’s catchy so I kept going back to it. Now I pretty much love it. Yeah sometimes it gets a little exhausting, but I love this mix of Dancehall and what I’ve been told is called HardStyle. Fun song.

1. Usher “Climax”
Usher is really out to make sure his seat as King of R&B is still his. And this song can easily do it. It’s a bit of elevated R&B, a really strange but simple track by Diplo with some great lyrics and some standard flawless and very much alive vocals by Mr. Raymond. Can’t wait to see what else is on this forthcoming album, because this song is pure gold. (And I also really love the video!)

Madonna Week is Coming!!

23 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Madonna

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Girl Gone Wild, Girl Gone Wild Gif, Madonna, Madonna MDNA, Madonna Week, MDNA, MDNA Week

Be forewarned!!

Madonna‘s “MDNA”, her 12th album, is coming out this coming Tuesday so I’m going to do what I did with Rihanna, Kanye and Jay-Z on the weeks of their big releases. A number of blog posts next week will be devoted to The Queen of Pop, including a review of “MDNA” (which I have heard already, but still letting it steep a little more in my musical mind). I haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to write about her, or how many posts… but I will definitely do a “Top 10 Music Videos” and a “Discography Review”. (If you have any other suggestions, let me know)

So just stay tuned!

My Top 10 Songs of the Week! : MYFAVORITES

16 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Basement Jaxx, Major Lazer, MGMT, MUSIC, MYFAVORITES, Rihanna, Santigold, Top 10 Songs of the Week

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Basement Jaxx, Diplo, Diplo & Switch, Jovi Rockwell, Major Lazer, Mapei, MGMT, Mr Evil, Mr. Vegas, My Top 10 Songs of the Week, rihanna, Santigold, Santogold, Switch, Top 10, Top 10 Songs, Top 10 Songs of the Week, Vybz Kartel

So, like… This week I was clearly in a Santigold mood as she dominates the list this week. There are a some others as you will see when you scroll down, but she’s all over the place. Aside from Santigold though, I really just got into that whole idea of Dancehall/Dub/Electronic hybrid type music. Something you can dance to like a House song but whine to like a Reggae song, I love the combination so if anybody can recommend me some more music like that… Santigold, M.I.A., Major Lazer and others… I’m really feeling that right now and would love to discover some other music like it.

Enjoy the list.

10. Santigold “Unstoppable”

9. Major Lazer feat. Vybz Kartel “Pon De Floor”
Every time I hear this I think “Gawd, ‘Run The World (Girls)‘ was such a f*ckin’ MESS!”

8. Basement Jaxx “Breakaway”
I loved this song since I first got the Jaxx “Rooty” CD in 2001, but it came up on a playlist during the week and I got stuck on the song. I’ve always related to the message “i’m living the same old sh*t each and every damn day!”

7. Santigold “Starstruck”

6. Santigold “Disparate Youth”

5. Major Lazer feat. Mr Evil and Mapei “Mary Jane”

4. MGMT “Someone’s Missing”
“Congratulations” was a very weird (but enjoyable) album. This (very short, almost intro-like) song stuck out to me because of what happens around 1.22 before they finally switch the melancholy to an almost Motown-ish upbeat close. Good stuff!

3. Rihanna “Rude Boy”
I think I may have to share my playlists with my readers eventually, because my Rihanna “Greatest!” mix is the sh*t. And though I’ve listened to this song like a million times, I was really really really loving it this week. Never noticed that “ow-wow-ow” thing cycles through the entire song. *laugh

2. Major Lazer feat. Mr Vegas and Jovi Rockwell “Can’t Stop Now”

1. Santigold “Big Mouth”

Discography Review: Prince (1984 – 1987)

14 Wednesday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Discography Review, MUSIC, Prince

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Around The World In A Day, Discography Review, Parade, prince, Prince & The Revolution, Prince & The Revolution Around The World In A Day, Prince & The Revolution Parade, Prince & The Revolution Purple Rain, Prince and the Revolution, Prince Around The World In A Day, Prince Discography, Prince Discography Review, Prince Parade, Prince Purple Rain, Prince Sign O The Times, Purple Rain, Sign O The Times

In 1983, Prince did something he hadn’t done his whole career and wouldn’t do for another 10 years. He actually took a break! From his debut in 1978 up until his Masterpiece “1999” in 1982, Prince released an album every year. Of course we know now that he took 1983 off to film his first starring role in the future classic film “Purple Rain. The year off also gave a chance for the calm before the storm, because 1984 would be his biggest year ever, the year that would make him a World Wide Star and pop culture Icon. The albums following the immense success of “Purple Rain” would be a strange journey, but a fun and always changing journey.

So to continued what I started ages ago,  here are the next 3 years in Prince’s ever evolving Discography.

If you don’t know anything about Prince, you know of “Purple Rain“. The Academy Award winning summer blockbuster of 1984, and the accompanying album of the same name which spent 24 weeks at #1. This is definitely his most Iconic album in his Discography, and possibly the most overexposed because of it’s success. As a fan, the popularity of the album may affect feelings about the album overall, but it can’t be denied that the soundtrack packs some amazing music. The great thing is it doesn’t stray too far from his edgy prior work, keeping the sound still very much an experimental and genre-bending like the music he got famous for. The difference is it’s definitely a bigger sound, with more anthemic tracks for the film. It’s a bit more polished than his earlier work, but it still maintains a bit of the underground edge that made him stand out from the rest of the Pop crew of the time.
The album did give Prince some of his biggest pop hits in “When Doves Cry” and “Let’s Go Crazy”, and those are two great examples to show he could stick to his guns and write something introspective and emotional (“Doves”), and still make it something that millions would respect and relate to. Throughout the album Prince, and his band The Revolution continually surprise the listeners going from R&B ballads in “The Beautiful Ones”, to New Wave Rock hybrid in “Computer Blue” than onto more energetic Dance funk (“Baby I’m A Star”), Pop (“Take Me With U”), with the Epic title track being almost the definition of a Rock ballad. “Purple Rain” is a great representation of who he was as an artist for the bandwagon fans who bought the album because of the film or the popularity he achieved that year. This album made the world really appreciate Prince’s unique gifts.

Rating: 5 stars
Best: Let’s Go Crazy, Darling Nikki, I Would Die 4 U

Following his most successful era yet, Prince seemed to want to get away from that sort of fame with 1985’s “Around the World In A Day“. Not only was there purposely very little promotion surrounding the albums release, but the whole theme of the album seems to deal with him and The Revolution wanting to escape in so many ways. Going “Around the World” is a way to escape conceptually, and musically the album does escape a bit from his usual. Not to say this album is drastically different from his other work, there is definitely a stamp of the Prince sound imprinted here. There’s diversity, great lyricism and wordplay, and some great vocal techniques. However, from the albums beautiful artwork to it’s music there is a psychedelic and worldly influence on every track. And while there are some really great stand out tracks here, something about the album just feels off.

For one it doesn’t feel as cohesive as the other albums, when the album shifts from Introspective slow numbers to Pop to Funk to Rock… it just doesn’t flow quite as well as it did even on the prior album. And than not every song can stand on it’s own, as songs like “America” and “Condition of the Heart” (while nice songs) are almost pure filler. Of course the negative points of this album are more than made up for with the positive points. “Pop Life”, about valuing who and where you are in life, is arguably one of Prince’s best written songs. The sexy “Tamborine” is one of his funkiest, “Raspberry Beret” is one of his most catchy and fun singles and even “Paisley Park” stands out with it’s storytelling stance and Prince’s vocal delivery.
“Around the World In a Day” is nowhere near a Bad album, it’s just a hard read and doesn’t quite work as well as a whole as his early classics.

Rating: 3.5 stars
Best: Pop Life, Raspberry Beret, Tamborine

Just like in the (crap!) film and Prince’s directorial debut “Under the Cherry Moon”, the accompanying album “Parade” is steeped in Parisian influences. Thankfully the album works infinitely better than the movie by being really funky and utilizing some really great production while Prince vocally is doing things he hadn’t done at that point. And on top of The Revolution sounding more harmonious than ever before, Prince adds more instrumentation, orchestration and even some elements of Jazz to make the overall feel very lush and full. Tonally, Prince had something in mind and it sounds like he executed every bit of that sound. Which, for me, lies the problem. Nearly everything here has a similar sound, not saying that each song is a carbon copy of the former, but it’s a lot less energetic and diverse thus making it a clear departure from his earlier work.  Besides the funk cuts, there isn’t a definable sound for the bulk of the album, and that’s basically Prince trying to form a whole new genre and sound which has to be applauded. When you get songs like “Girls and Boys”, “Mountains”, “Under the Cherry Moon”, “Anotherloverholenyourhead” and one of Prince’s signature mega-hits “Kiss” it’s really hard to complain about the album. Even the shorter “interlude” like songs “I Wonder U” and “Life Can Be So Nice” are more than stellar. “Parade” is simply just Prince’s biggest departure from his signature sound, and feels a little different. Still a great album, but as a Prince fan it just feels like something is missing.

Rating: 4 stars
Best: Kiss, Anotherloverholenyourhead, Mountains

And than, in 1987, Prince released another Masterpiece. After veering a off the path a little and trying new things with his last two efforts, Prince managed to recapture his strengths and what made him who he is as an artist. The double album “Sign O the Times” delivers on so many different levels and is easily his second best album to date (and on any give day, maybe his best!). The sound is really underground and especially grungy on certain tracks (“It” and “The Cross” come to mind) recalling the tone of “Dirty Mind”. This album maintains the edginess of that Prince, but 6 years later he displays much more maturity and and even better grasp of his musical talents.

What may be the most striking thing about the album is his lyrics. He includes plenty of his standard wordplay and double entendre’s on “The Ballad  of Dorothy Parker” and “Starfish and Coffee” and hit single “U Got The Look”. What stands out the most though is how intensely sincere and personal he gets on more of the stand out and classic tracks “Adore” “The Cross” “If I Was Your Girlfriend” and “Forever In My Life”.  Which is part of the reason this album is one of his best, Prince seemed to become a down to earth musical genius.

All the messages and concepts on this album, ranging from truly sentimental love songs to just fun jam sessions, are things every person could relate to. At the same time being a more humbled human effort, the production and musical direction on every track seems a bit super human. The extended jam session of the 9 minute opus “It’s Gonna Be a Beautiful Night”, the extended break down on the upbeat “I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man”. Even the stark and gritty arrangement of the title track show just how much he’d grown in the now 9 years in the business.

So after traveling “Around the World In a Day” and after playing a Parisian gigolo for “Parade”, Prince finally returned to what made us love him the most. His raw energy, his unapologetic experimentation, unfiltered emotional vocals and just insane musical genius. The diversity and versatility of his sound, his ability to switch concepts up on a dime and still make it work, it’s all there. A really triumphant return to form and easily one of his Top 2 (that settles it! *laugh) Albums of All Time.

Rating: 5 stars
Best: If I Was Your Girlfriend, Forever In My Life, I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man

My Top 10 Songs of the Week! : MYFAVORITES

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Animal Collective, Brandy, How To Dress Well, Mariah Carey, Monica, MYFAVORITES, Panda Bear, Prince, Rihanna, The Black Keys, The Notorious B.I.G., Top 10 Songs of the Week, U2

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Animal Collective, Biggie Smalls, Black Keys, Brandy, Brandy & Monica, Brandy and Monica, How To Dress Well, Mariah Carey, Monica, Notorious B.I.G., Notorious BIG, Panda Bear, prince, Prince and the Revolution, rihanna, The Black Keys, Tom Krell, Top 10 Songs, Top 10 Songs of the Week, U2

10. Mariah Carey “Vanishing”
Was watching the BET Honors on YouTube since I missed all of the telecasts. I was thinking if I was an artist what song I’d sing for her. It came down to this simple but powerful ballad from her debut album and 1995’s “Underneath the Stars”. This obviously won out.

9. The Black Keys “Money Maker”
Earlier this week I was on a serious “El Camino” kick, I like pretty much every song, but this Doors-ish number became another favorite.
(Sorry — or maybe not sorry — but I can only find Live versions of this song right now!)

8. Animal Collective “My Girls”
My #2 Single of 2009, I was listening to Panda Bear’s “Tomboy” album randomly and had to go to “Merriweather Post Pavilion” and hear this totally mesmerizing and psychedelic track one more ‘gain.

7. Rihanna feat. Calvin Harris “We Found Love”
Ugh. This song is STILL so incredibly basic to me, but … that build up to the hook ALWAYS gives me life.

6. How To Dress Well “Ready for the World”
Moody Indie R&B! It had been a minute since I listened to How To Dress Well’s album “Love Remains” so I re-visited it, and it’s only right that this song makes the list this week because it’s the song that made me intrigued to check it out in the first place.

5. U2 “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
I probably need to up my U2 collection. I have only one full album by them in my iTunes and only a few songs from their “Greatest Hits” collection. Meanwhile, this song had me rocking the other day at work.

4. Panda Bear “Slow Motion”
I remember first hearing the album “Tomboy” and thinking… ‘wow! they are so biting off of animal collective’, turns out it’s just the same guy under a different moniker. Knowing that the album a lot more enjoyable and this Hip Hop influenced chant-y Indie/Electro/Psychadellic track is a clear stand out on the album.

3. Prince & The Revolution “Computer Blue”
As I prepare for part two of my Prince Discography Review (part one here), been listening to a lot of Prince late this week. And this wasn’t necessarily one of my favorites growing up… but over the past few years has become a stand out. It’s all about that guitar break down in the middle.

2. The Notorious B.I.G. “One More Chance/ Stay with Me”
It’s the anniversary of Biggie’s death today, (thanks Twitter for reminding me)… so of course I had to show some love today. I mean “Notorious Thugs” is his best song ever… but I just remember getting in trouble over this song. I ran up a pretty high phone bill requesting this song on The Box (y’all remember that!?). I still love it though, this is classic Hip Hop.

1. Brandy & Monica “It All Belongs To Me”
When I first heard this song about a month ago, I thought it was cute but it left a bit of a lukewarm impression. The music video was released this week, and even though it’s a simple standard video it just made me appreciate the song a little more, and now I’m hooked!

Movies I Love! “Amadeus” : Movie Review

09 Friday Mar 2012

Posted by d1esel6 in Amadeus, F. Murray Abraham, Milos Forman, Movie Review, Movies I Love!, Peter Shaffer, Tom Hulce

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1984 Oscars, Academy Awards, Amadeus, Antonio Salieri, Biopic, Classical Music, Elizabeth Berridge, F Murray Abraham, Jeffrey Jones, Milos Forman, Movie Review, Movies I Love, Mozart, Oscars, Peter Shaffer, Salieri, Tom Hulce, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

“Amadeus” is without a doubt one of the Best Films ever made, it’s easily one of my favorite films of all time… and I’m talking Top 20. I bought the Blu-Ray about a month ago, and I have literally watched it about 7 times in the past few weeks. With the expert screenwriting, Award winning acting and genius direction the movie is just Ace in all areas. Funny, because certain qualities about the movie should have been a disaster. At times Director Milos Forman‘s adaptation of the Broadway show of the same name feels designed for the contemporary market of the early 80’s. For example, most of the main actors are American instead of hiring Italian and German actors for authenticity’s sake. Also the actors aren’t forced to don fake accents, they just vary their American accents to represent the common folks of the time and the more regal Royal ones.

Strangely though, putting the story in contemporary terms works beautifully in so many different ways. For one it makes the dialogue more understandable without having to completely dumb down the content. And because the film was released in the time of Sting, David Bowie and Prince viewers could easily relate to Mozart being a Rock Star of his time. Plus the winning combination of great writing, directing, acting along with the art direction and costume design really bring this 18th century world to life and puts the viewer right there. Instead of it seeming like a stuffy, boring time period it really does feel alive and real, and it’s rare in film that this time period can be viewed in such a relate-able way.

Those who have yet to see this Masterpiece might be staying away thinking it will be just another boring and long bio-pic, but it really isn’t. Lots of information about the lives of main characters Mozart and Salieri are divulged, but it’s not a movie about the rise of Mozart or Salieri but more about their relationship over the few years covered in the film. Opening with a long confession from an older Salieri, whose confined to a mental institution. He tells of the day that “changed his life” to a priest, that being the day he met Mozart in Vienna. Salieri’s admiration for Mozart quickly turns into an obsessive jealousy when the mature disciplined man finds the popular musical genius is just a goofy immature kid. The two have several run-in’s from than on while working for Emperor Joseph (played by every-man of the 80’s Jeffrey Jones) which further fuels Salieri’s resentment towards Mozart and makes him lose faith in religion. He feels God punished him with mediocrity and blessed an unworthy Mozart with the talent he should have received.

Throughout several beautiful musical performances, Salieri tries his best to take Mozart down. Whether it be sabotaging future work opportunities, trying to manipulate his wife Constanze (played by Elizabeth Berridge) in sleazy ways, to his final attempt at disguising himself to commission a “Death March” from Mozart which ultimately brings the un-doing of both composers.

The film is expertly constructed, it moves at a great pace and it delivers both intense drama and some light funny notes, and most of all some amazing musical sequences. The acting by the entire cast is phenomenal, of course Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham‘s portrayal of Salieri both young and old steal the show. He’s such a heartless villain throughout most of it, but his human vulnerability and insecurities make him easy to relate to. Jealousy is something that consumes all of us at various degrees, so you relate with him when he says outlandish things like an Emperors yawn at a Mozart show was his own “victory”.

And in total contrast to Abraham’s sinister performance, Tom Hulce gives a wonderfully light-hearted and comical performance of Mozart, making the audience completely side with him and his fun nature. Yet, Hulce shows major versatility in making Mozart’s passion for music really clear to the viewers. The heart of the movie is the dramatic contrast between the two main characters, and they both play it perfectly and really sell the dynamics between the two, who both admire each others work, but Salieri’s jealousy gets the best of him and is all he can think about. While Mozart’s misunderstood genius eventually gets the best of him in a fatal way.

One of the main reasons I love this film is the music, I’m always a fan of films that incorporate a lot of music but this film truly makes music and composition a third character. From Salieri’s vivid and precise description of Mozart’s work, to the Forman’s groundbreaking way of getting inside Mozart’s head (with the viewer hearing what he might have heard in his mind while composing his brilliant operas), the film details the music making process in a way never duplicated since. Classical music has never been a favorite of mine, but this film really made me understand it a lot better.

And nothing is better than the climax, when Salieri offers to dictate Mozart’s “Requiem” while he is sick and bed-ridden. Mozart passionately composing the score in his head and trying to get his thoughts across, and Salieri desperately trying to understand (and keep up with Mozart’s rapid paced mind) but also secretly enjoying being  a part of something so amazing and new. The scene is so beautiful, so unique, so moving and intense, it’s easily one of my favorite scenes of all-time.

While watching “Amadeus” I did question the historical accuracy of it all, did things really happen the way they did in the film in the same chronological order? Thankfully there are several online resources to confirm that No, this movie isn’t 100% accurate but as Peter Shaffer (the screen writer and writer of the original play it was based off) puts it “there is a kernel of truth in everything”. And if you think about it, the movie would have been very un-interesting if there wasn’t the dramatic pace and conflicts presented in Shaffer’s script.

Basically, if you haven’t watched this film… do so. And if you have seen it, see it again. If it’s 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture aren’t proof enough that this is one of the most excellent films in History, than see for yourself how everything that could have gone so wrong, ends up being so incredibly right.

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